Death in the Ghetto...

Layla Anwar - An Arab Woman Blues

My friend's mother Nadia, passed away in the "sooneee" Ghetto. A dark, sad story. Auntie was not feeling well. She had some breathing problems. They kept saying allergies due to pollution. They lived in an encircled neighborhood. I will refrain from naming it from fear of retribution for Nadia and her family. No one can leave this neighborhood or enter it without any authorization from either the "iraqi guards" or the americans. Both iraqi guards and the americans represent the occupation forces. The dual American/Iranian occupation of Baghdad. This neighborhood has been neglected for over 2 years. The persians in charge of the ministry of works and construction, water and electricty as well as the municipality refuse to unblock any funds for the reconstruction and the collecting of garbage in the sunni areas. The worst hit areas are Al Adhamiya,Al Amel, Haifa,and al Ameriya... These neighborhoods are part of a deliberate policy where water and electricity do not reach, where piles of garbage have become mountains, where basic necessities are not found... Where trying to get to a hospital is impossible, where doctors refuse to pay a visit...

continua / continued